Letaba Biomass to Energy PDD - MyClimate

SECTION G. Stakeholders’ comments
PROJECT DESIGN DOCUMENT FORM (GS-VER-PDD)
Voluntary Offset Projects - Version 01
G.1. Brief description how comments by local stakeholders have been invited and compiled:
Comments by local stakeholders were invited through a visit to Letaba Estates and the surrounding area during
which interviews were conducted. Johan van den Berg representing the project developer held the following
meetings:
Meetings with the Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs
After an initial pre-application meeting early in 2006, a full submission was made to the authorities on the reasons
why no EIA need be conducted. A site meeting was held on 1 June 2006 and on the same day Johan van en Berg
and BioTherm Energy’s environmental consultant Ms Maggy Machumele met with Mr Grace Rasesepe in
Polokwane. It was agreed by all that the project was outside the ambit of the legislation requiring Environmental
Impact Assessments.
Meeting with the Village Committee 4 April 2006
The village committee are a representative body of people living on Letaba Estates. They hold regular meetings –
once or twice a month. In attendance were:
KS Maluleke
N Nkuna
S Phalandwa
FS Mhlongo
J Mndlovu
ME Malubane
J van den Berg (on behalf of project developer)
Meetings between BioTherm Energy and workers/their representatives
Johan van den Berg, on 5 April 2006, met Frans Mongwe, Chairman of the NUFBWSAW - National Union
of Food Beverage Wine Spirit and Allied Workers Union – he indicated that he has informed 120 people
and members working at Letaba Estates about the proposed project. He is regional chairperson and local
chairman.
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Also on 5 April 2006 Johan van den Berg met with Charlie Baloyi, supervisor of the subtropical fruit juicing plant; and
Hendry Nkuna (supervisor in production).
Due to the fact that about 20 workers belong to a separate trade union called Solidarity, some interviews were
conducted with Solidarity members who work in the juicing plant, namely Warner Staples and Alwyn van der Berg
who are both active in the workshop.
During the first week of June a short DVD documentary was made at Letaba Estates about the project and Aklaf
Maflele, electrical supervisor at the juicing plant, was interviewed and asked for his comments.